Typically shaped to resemble flip-flops, getas and zoris are the iconic Japanese sandals still worn usually with traditional Japanese clothing but can also with Western clothing during the summer season.
Getas are flip-flop clogs composed of a wooden sole raised by two gussets. Zoris are flat flip-flop sandals similar to Hawaiian shoes and are made from rice straw, wood or synthetic materials.
Geta - Source: via Pinterest
Though the shape does not make them particularly comfortable, every object from the tradition of any culture tells a story and has a definite meaning, which must be kept alive in its integrity so that they can best be handed down to future generations. In ancient times, geta and zori had more than one purpose.
Between 794 and 1192, in the Heian period (a historical era in which the emperor's power grew weakened, causing the rise of wealthy families), geta and zori were worn by the Chinese nobility, and as Japanese culture was influenced by Chinese culture, these shoes were soon also associated with Japanese culture and worn by Japanese nobility. The discomfort of the shoes led to taking small and slow steps, making the way of walking elegant and delicate, that is, a type of deportment suitable for members of high society. Another purpose of their use was to keep clothes (usually kimonos) from being soiled by muddy and dusty streets.
But the main purpose of these shoes lies in the history of geisha. These particular footwear, in fact, are worn with “tabi,” stiff typical Japanese socks whose shape separates the big toe from the other toes so that they are worn comfortably. The reason why getas and zoris are usually worn with tabi goes back to the geisha, who had to wear them from an early age in order to maintain their small feet, a source of beauty and seduction, even as they grew older. Tabi, in fact, were made of a nonelastic material, sewn together with flaps of cloth and closable through buttons in the back.
Zori - Source: via Pinterest
The geta and zori thus had a great impact on style and practicality, but as, throughout the world, Westernization has increasingly taken hold and traditions are increasingly disappearing. Japanese culture, however, is one of the longest-lived and is closely tied to its customs in that it has managed to create a firm balance between various Western influences and its own traditions. The mix of modernity and antiquity is the perfect recipe that makes Japanese culture a unique and fascinating ideology.
Today, geta and zori are no longer routinely worn in everyday life, not only as a matter of style but also for comfort. The way of life has changed, as have everyone's habits and priorities. Nowadays, people are increasingly looking for soft and comfortable footwear because of their busy lives. However, geta and zori are still sometimes used in the name of tradition and worn together with the typical kimono, or even combined with Western garments.
Although geta and zori are not used as much today as they used to be, the shoe storage cabinet in Japanese homes is still called “getakabo,” or “geta box,” and it is still customary today to take off one's shoes before entering the house as a matter of hygiene and cleanliness.
Cover picture: flickr.com